Jazz get down to business

I covered World Superbike at Miller Motorsports Park over the weekend, so I haven't had much of a chance to keep track of the NBA or the Jazz.

I did bump into Jazz president Randy Rigby at MMP before Monday's races, however.

From a brief discussion, Rigby indicated Jazz management would be holding some meetings this week so everybody can get on the same page as far as strategy for free agency and the NBA draft is concerned.

Of course, the biggest issue involves Carlos Boozer and to what lengths the Jazz should go to try and re-sign him.

Good question.

I believe the Jazz will make an honest effort to keep Boozer. If they do, he must decide whether Utah offers enough money, years or whatever he seeks in a part-time home for his family.

Re-signing Wesley Matthews will be a priority for Jazz management, while keeping free agent Kyle Korver will generate plenty of discussion. Given the Jazz's salary cap situation and the play of C.J. Miles and Matthews in the playoffs, I don't think Korver's return is a given, although he is certainly a better all-around player than I thought before seeing him on a regular basis.

Rigby did not know which players general manager Kevin O'Connor wants to bring to Utah for pre-draft workouts. But that list has probably been drawn up already. Now, it will be a quesion of whether agents allow their clients to come to Utah for an interview/audition.

Don't expect players in the projected top-five to come. That group includes John Wall, Evan Turner, Derrick Favors, Wesley Johnson and DeMarcus Cousins.

If any of them show up, one of two things is probably happening: their draft stock is slipping or the Jazz are trying to move up into the top five.

Speaking of trading up ...

One item from Hoopshype.com over the weekend is worth noting.

The web site reported that, according to HoopsMarket.com, a basketball-related blog that I never previously visited, Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis attended a recent game in Europe between Caja Laboral and Real Madrid.

According to HoopsMarket.com, a Spanish newspaper claimed Rambis paid "special attention" to Ante Tomic, a 23-year-old Croatain center who the Jazz drafted in 2008.

If true, the potential impact on the Jazz is clear.

Why would Rambis be checking on Tomic unless the Jazz were open to trading his rights. And what makes more sense than Utah trying to use Tomic and move up in the draft?

Minnesota owns the No. 4 pick, where it will likely have a choice of players like Syracuse's Johnson, Kentucky's Cousins or somebody like Kansas' Cole Aldrich.

If none of them excite the Timberwolves, perhaps they would be willing to trade the pick to Utah for the rights to Tomic and the No. 9 selection.

I'll tell you one thing: the brief item on Hooshype motivated several readers to send emails and ask what I know about the Jazz's plans for Tomic?

My answer: I don't know. But if Utah could move into the top four of a draft that many regard as five-deep in clear-cut NBA prospects, the Jazz would have to be willing to use Tomic as part of the bait, wouldn't they?